Body restraint



June 14, 1960 E. s. BAKER BODY RESTRAINT Filed May 25, 1956 INVENTOR. E/eanof S. Bakel A++orney.

BODY RESTRAINT Eleanor S. Baker, Bethesda, Md., assigner, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-sixth to Howard L. Rose and one-sixth to Harold J. Nussbaum, Washington, 11C.

FnedMay 2s, 1956, ser. No. 587,376

s claims. (cl. 12s-134) The present invention relates to restraining garments and, more particularly, to a restraining garment adapted to conne an individual to his bed without unduly restricting his movements.

Two types of body restraints are now in wide use but both types are unduly conning to the individual to which they are applied. One such restraint is the straight jacket which substantially completely immobilizes the patient and severely cramps the body. This type of restraint may be acceptable for the most violent type of patient but, in addition to the fact that it is unduly restricting, it has a depressing effect on the less violent and, therefore, more rational individuals. ln addition, where a restraint is required merely for the purpose of retaining a non-violent patient in bed, the straight jacket is wholly unacceptable.

The other type of restraint commonly employed is individual limb restraints, that is, the individuals hands and arms are tied to the bed. This allows the patient a limited amount of movement but he is maintained on his back or front and in orde-r to turn him he must be untied, rolled over and retied. mi additional disadvantage of this type of restraint is that the arms and legs become irritated under the ties.

Consequently, neither type of restraint in general use today is necessary or conventional foruse with mildly disturbed patients and they are wholly unsuitable where it is desired only to maintain an individual in bed.

lt is an' object of the present invention to provide a restraining garment which maintains `a patient in bed but which does not restrict movement of the arms land legs and allows the patient to roll from side-to-side.

it is another object of the present invention to provide a restraining garment which may be adjusted to the size of the wearer.

it is yet another object of the present invention to provide a restraining garmentfhaving overlapping front sections secured together by a'zipper and employing additional zipper halves disposed parallel one to the other so that the garment may be closed with varying degrees of overlap of the front sections to `adjust the size of the garment tothe size of the wearer.

lt is still another object of the present invention to provide a restraining garment employing a vest-like garment for encircling the torso of the wearer which may have secured thereto two openable cuis for restraining the arms of the wearer.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a restraining garment employing a vest-like member for encircling the body of the wearer, a half sheet and a plurality of straps for securing the vest-like member to the bed sheet and including straps for securing the half sheet to a bed, the latter straps being secured to metal rods sewed in the half sheet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a restraining garment employing a vest-like member for enclosing the torso of the patient, the vest member including overlapping front sections which are secured tonited States Patent lice gether by means of a zipper, the garment further ncluding a locking arrangement to prevent opening of 'the zipper bythe wearer.

The above and still further features, objects and -advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following description of several speciiic embodiments of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure l is a top view of the restraining ygarment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the restraining garment; and

Figure 3 is a view of the lrestraining garment of the present invention equipped with arm-restraining cuffs.

Referring specifically to Figures l and 2 of the accompartying drawings, the restraining garment of the present invention includes a torso receiving vest 1 secured to a half sheet 2 by means of a first plurality of straps 3 and a second plurality of straps 4. The half sheet 2 has its left and right sides, as viewed in Figure 1, folded under and stitched to the body of the sheet to provide two longitudinally extending pockets 5 along the sides of the sheet 2. An elongated metal ybar 6 is disposed -in `each of the pockets 5, the upper and lower ends of the pocket 5. as viewed in Figure l, being stitched closed so as to retain the bars 6 in the pockets 5. Each of the pockets 5 are provided along the outer edges thereof with apertures 7, three being illustrated in each pocket for the purpose of example only. Each aperture 7 extends into the pocket 5 so as to completely expose the bar 6 in the region of the aperture. A strap 8 is associated with each of the apertures 7 in the left side ofthe sheet 2 and has a looped end through which the bar 6 extends, the strap 8 being thereby secured to the sheet 2. Associated with each aperture 7 on the right side of the sheet 2 is a buckle 10 carried on a strap 11 having a looped end 12 for receiving the bar 6. The half sheet 2 is adapted to be secured to a bed 13 having a mattress 14 as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. The main body of the.

sheet 2 is disposed on the top of the mattress 14 with the of the mattress.

the ybed i3,

The torso receiving vest 1 is adapted to tightly lit the.

body of the wearer and includes a back member 16 and partially overlapping right and left front members 17 and 18. The vest l further includes a heck receiving aperture 19 and two arm holes 26 and 21. The front. members i7 and 18 may be joined together lby a zipper 22 having one element 23 sewn to the member 17 and another element 24 sewn to the member 18, In order to prevent an individual placed in the garment from undoing the zipper, two metal rings 2S and 26 are pr vided, the rings 25 and 26 being sewn or otherwise suitably secured to the lower edges of the members 17 and 18, respectively, adjacent the zipper 22. The zipper 22 includes a conventional slide operating handle 27 having an aperture 28 in the lower end thereof. The handle 27 extends through the rings 2-5 and 26 when the zipper is fully closed and a shackle 29 of a lock 30 is passed through the aperture 28 in thehandle 27. The lock 30 is the@ closed and the zipper cannot be operated until the lock is opened and the shackle @removed from the aperture 28. In practice it has been found necessary to employ two rings 25 and 26, preferably although not necessarily fabricated from metal. If only a single ring is employed the zipper may be opened by pulling,V

Y' 1 Vvandv are secured to its left side.

Vlower end-of both members 17 and 18, an operationV which isrrendered impossible because the vest 1 is filled 'by the bodyY of the wearer and there is insulicientttma'- terial to allow such a maneuver. It is therefore necessary, in order toiprevent the individual in restraint from joperating the zipper and further to prevent him from "i Vv2,940,441?,- Y

sliding Ydownward and out of the ybottom of the vest, u

that lthe vest'l iit'the body of the wearer snugly. It is impractical in most hospitals 'and institutions to have a ,supply of'garment's to fit each different size individual that maybe encountered. Consequently, it is desirable to .have the garment'rteadily adjustable in size within limits; VY'Ihis is accomplished inaccordance with the present'invention by providing, additional elements 24 'of the zipper 23, parallelto the element 24 and spaced j transversely therefromponly one additional element being illustrated. Thus the extent of overlapY of the mem- Y bersvr v1217 and Vlmay be varied within limits in accordL ance with the size ofthe individual and, as a result; only a few standard sizes of the garment must be pro- Y vided to accommodate many different size` individuals;

t The vest 1 is secured to the half sheet 2 by the two sets of straps 3 and 4. The straps 3 extend from the left sideV ofthe sheet 2, as viewed in Figure 1, under the. vest 1 andare secured to itsr right side.' The straps tV extend from the right side of the "sheet'2 under the vest The straps 3 and V4 are 'alternated along the length of-the vest'and are employ'ed to allow the individual in restraint to roll from side-to-side, this feature being illustrated in Figure 2 where the vest'l is illustrated as rotated toward the left of the drawing. The length of the straps 3 and 4 determine the angle through which the individual may roll and by selecting straps of suticient length, the angle of roll may be as much as 180 in either direction.V

The materialV from'which the vest 1, Vstraps 3 and 4V and .half sheet are fabricated Vis determined Yprimarily by V; the strength of the individual to be restrained. Where the individual is quite strong, the rgarment is made of canvas andthe parts comin-g into contact with the body mayvbeflined with a *softerV material to prevent irritation of theV skin resulting from rubbing.

The present invention provides a-restraining garment wherein the provision of a vest 1 which envelopes the siderolling movement. t to the sizeof the wearer as a result of the provisionrof are securely fastened to the sheet 2 by the'bars 6 which barsprevent the sheet Y2 from being torn from the bed.

The garment illustratedV in Figures l and 2 may lbe employed in cases where it is `desirable to rnaintainfav person in bed in the prone position. it.Y is not suitabie for Yrestraint of violent cases since the arms of the wearer are free and may strike at attendants or Vtear at the body of the-wearer himself; The garment .illustrated in ,Fig-A ures "l and2 may be Vmadesuitable for use with violent individuals by the addition of arm restraints 31 and 32,*l as illustrated in Figure 3Y of the accompanying drawings. Y"

'The' arm restraints 3'1 and 32 are secured'to the'rfront andthe zipper 35 closed, the handsA of the v'vearer`4 lying one on top of the other4 adjacent the lower end of the Y chest. The sheet 33 fits snugly about the forearm and is smaller .than the wrists and hands of the wearer thereby preventing him from withdrawing his arms.

The arm restraints 3 1- and 32 mayA assume a different position from that illustrated in Figure 3 and may extend inwardly and'downw'ar'dly'of the vest 1. This arrangementtmay vbe preferable since the innerV portions of the arm restraints 31 and 32 would extend belowthe vest land would cause less interference with thek additional elements 24 of the zipper 22'. Additionally, the arm restraints may terminate in bag-like members so as to enclose the hands of the wearer and prevent him from tearing at his body inthe vicinity of Vhis hands or at one hand with`the other.- .It is Vapparent Vthat'by the YadditionY of the arm restraints-31 and 32, the restraining garmentof the present invention becomes wholly acceptable for Vuse 'with violent rpatients.Y The arm restraints' mayl be'iapplied'to all of theV` garments andmay Y or may not be` used as required by the needs of the patientY and,r consequently,-the garment becomes anr all purposeY restraint The heavy duty zipper for Yclosing theY vest is suicientlydstrong rto withstand the strain that ycan, be' appliedV to it byY m'ost persons 'of average Y flap.

While Ivhaveidescribed and -illustrated'sever'al speciiic embodiments ofthe present invention, it will be clear that variations ofthe specific details of construction maybe resorted tor-withoutV departing from the true spirit of the t invention as defined in the appended claims.

WhatIclaimis: Y v t v t 1. A body restraining garment comprising a wide band,

i belt means for securing said wide band-to a bed, a vest means" for Yencircling aV portion ofthe bodyof a patient and having arm holes and ,af neck hole, said vest means l including two frontrsections having adjacentV longitudinally extending edges, afpzripper-,ha'ving rstrand second Y elements Ysecured to the edges of said front, sections, additorso of the wearer prevents him from rising to. a VsittingY Y position and yet allows a maximum degree of side-to-t The vest is'readily adjustable, Y

tional zipper elements being secured to Yone of Ysaid frontV sections and displaced onefrom the'other transversely of the edges of said iront'"sections,-and atplurality of-straps securing said ,vest means to said wide band,said strapsV occupying parallel planes, llir'st ends of Yadjacent straps being securedto oppositefsides of said vestfmeans, said from said vest means, 't A v2. The combinationl in accordance with claim-i1 wherein said zipper includes awslide Aand an apertured handle forY operating ,said slide, said garment further comprising members 17 and 1S, respectively, the restraintl being t Y flat. canvasor leather panel V33. stitched or otherwise suitably secured tothe front members 1'7V and 1S: The said pocket means having a plurality of apertures fm- `exposing portions of4V said bars, a plurality of Vbeltsveach Vsecured toan exposed portion of one of said bars and a upper4 and lower edges of the panel 331 are each Aprot Vvided respectively with the two elements of-ta zipper 35 and when.l the arm of the individual is placed on the` panel 332 it is folded about the forearm above the wrists two each secured to corresponding ends of a different front section adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, `the aperturedV portion of said handle beingV adapted and arrangedto'textendthrough said rings'when said zipt per is closed; j

3. The combinat comprisingtwo flexible panels'secured to said vest means adjacent'the lower end thereof, each of said panels having separable ,zipper elements secured to VYopposite edges thereof,l Ysaid panelsV being adapted to ior-mY sleeves sur.- rounding-the' forearms ofthe patient.

V4. Thercombinationin'accordancewith claim l whereinsaid'belt means lincldetwoelongated bars, pocket means in said wideband for receiving said elongated bars,

plurality of buckles Yeach secured'toan exposed-portion o f the otherof said i t ion in 'accordance with claim 1 further 5. A body restraining garment for humans comprising a Wide band, means for securing said wide band to a support, vest means for encircling a portion of the body of a patient and having arm holes and a neck hole, said vest means including longitudinally extending unconnected edges, closing means for securing said edges one to the other and comprising iirst and second separable means, said rst separable means being secured to said vest means adjacent one edge thereof, said second separable means being secured to said vest adjacent said other edge thereof, additional second separable means spaced transversely of said edges from said first mentioned second separable means, means for preventing the patient from opening said closing means, and a plurality of straps securing said vest means to said wide band, said straps occupying parallel planes, rst ends of adjacent straps being secured to opposite sides of said vest means said straps extending under said vest means and second ends of said straps being secured to said wide band outwardly from said vest means.

6. A body restraining garment comprising a wide band, means for securing said Wide band to a bed, a vest means for encircling a portion of the body of a patient and having arm holes and a neck hole, said vest means including two front sections having adjacent longitudinally extending free edges, a zipper having iirst and second elements secured to the edges of said front section, at least one additional send zipper element spaced from and parallel to the aforesaid second zipper element, zipper engaging means for locking said zipper in its closed position, and a plurality of straps securing said vest means to said wide band, said straps occupying parallel planes, first ends of adjacent straps being secured to opposite sides of said vest means, said straps extending under said vest means and second ends of said straps being secured to said wide band outwardly from said vest means.

7. A body restraining garment for humans comprising a wide band, means for securing said Wide band to a support, vest means for encircling a portion of the body of a patient and having arm holes and a neck hole, said vest means including longitudinally extending uncon nected edges, closing means for securing said edges one to the other and comprising rst and second mutually engagement separable means, said rst separable means being secured to said vest means adjacent one edge thereof, said second separable means being secured to said vest adjacent said other edge thereof, 'additional second separable means spaced transversely of said edges from said first-mentioned second separable means, means for preventing the patient from opening said closing means, and -a plurality of straps securing said vest means to said wide band, said straps occupying parallel planes, rst ends of adjacent straps being secured to opposite sides of said vest means said straps extending under said vest means and second ends of said straps being secured to said wide band outwardly from said vest means.

8. A Ibody restraining garment for humans comprising a Wide band, means for securing said wide band to fa support, vest means for encircling a portion of the body of a patient and having arm holes and a neck hole, said vest means including longitudinally extending unconnected edges, closure means for securing said edges one to the other, said closure means comprising iirst yand second interconnectable and separable means, said first separable means being secured to said vest means adjacent one edge thereof, said second separable means being secured to said vest adjacent said other edge thereof, additional second separable means spaced transversely of said edges from said first-mentioned second separable means, and a plurality of straps securing said vest means to said wide lband, said straps occupying parallel planes, rst ends of adjacent straps being secured to opposite sides of said vest means, said straps extending under said vest means and second ends of said straps being secured to said wide band outwardly from said 'vest means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,704,579 Sanford Mar. 5, 1929 2,215,951 Astrove Sept. 24, 1940 2,374,712 Steigerwald May l, 1945 2,524,429 Devin Oct. 3, 1950 2,569,076 Schaye Sept. 25, 1951 2,693,177 Barstow Nov. 2, 1954 

